Abstract

Manchester Camerata is at the forefront of work to create a new arts and health ecology within Greater Manchester’s devolved health infrastructure.

Our focus is the mental health of older people, in particular people with dementia. Through research-led practice (collaborating with universities/NHS partners) we’ve developed music-based interventions with significant impact on health, care, and quality of life.

While public awareness of dementia has increased, public understanding remains limited. Manchester Camerata wants to tackle this by delivering an ambitious, region-wide programme of public engagement and creative enquiry into lived experience, current research, and potential role of music in Early Onset Dementia.

Over 18 months we’ll bring together 80 people with Early Onset Dementia, health professionals, academics, and world-class artists to co-create a series of unique musical performances, offering powerful new insights into dementia. The new works will be shared via 20 performances in disadvantaged communities, partnering with local groups.

“Dementia Voices” will:

Help 8,000 people in priority neighbourhoods make better informed health choices
Help 200 healthcare professionals to incorporate music interventions in dementia care.
Deepen understanding of dementia for 80,000 people in Greater Manchester, improving care within families and dialogue with health sector.
Through comprehensive evaluation, help us develop our practice.